England’s struggles under new manager Thomas Tuchel continued as they were thoroughly outclassed by Senegal in a 3-1 defeat at the City Ground. The loss marks Tuchel’s first since taking charge, raising serious concerns ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
Match Summary
- 7’ – England 1-0 Senegal: Harry Kane tapped in after Anthony Gordon’s shot was saved.
- 42’ – 1-1: Kyle Walker’s defensive lapse allowed Ismaila Sarr to equalize.
- 57’ – 1-2: Habib Diarra capitalized on a defensive error to slot past Dean Henderson.
- 90+2’ – 1-3: Cheikh Sabaly sealed Senegal’s win with a late breakaway goal.
Key Moments
- 28’ – Gordon’s Shocking Miss: The Newcastle winger wasted a golden chance to double England’s lead, skewing wide from close range.
- VAR Denies Bellingham: A late Jude Bellingham goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill.
- Defensive Woes: England’s backline was repeatedly exposed by Senegal’s direct attacks, with Walker and Colwill particularly poor.
Player Ratings (Out of 10)
Goalkeeper & Defence:
- Dean Henderson (5/10) – Made key saves but should have done better for the second goal.
- Kyle Walker (3/10) – At fault for Senegal’s equalizer; sluggish throughout.
- Levi Colwill (4/10) – Struggled against Senegal’s physicality; poor positioning.
Midfield:
- Declan Rice (4/10) – Overrun and ineffective in possession.
- Conor Gallagher (5/10) – Worked hard but lacked creativity.
Attack:
- Harry Kane (7/10) – Scored but starved of service.
- Anthony Gordon (4/10) – Missed a sitter; inconsistent performance.
- Bukayo Saka (4/10) – Anonymous until a late chance, denied by Mendy.
Tuchel’s Reaction
The German coach cut a frustrated figure post-match, stating:
“We were second-best in every department. The defending was unacceptable, and we lacked intensity. This is not the standard we set.”
What’s Next?
England must regroup quickly before their next friendly, while Senegal’s dominant display sends a warning to their World Cup rivals.
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